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Editors' Review

ZoneAlarm Free Firewall protects your Windows PC from intrusions and online threats. It's easy to use and works alongside your antivirus and other security tools, including many other firewalls. Its Auto-Learn feature conforms to your computer use. After you've allowed your frequently used apps, ZoneAlarm mostly works in the background, only appearing when something changes, like when you install a new program -- or some hacker tries to.

To install ZoneAlarm Free Firewall, you must opt for an IE toolbar and search provider (which keeps ZoneAlarm free of charge), though they uninstall with a click; or (like us) you could simply use a different browser. ZoneAlarm's setup process includes selecting optional AUTO-LEARN and MAX SECURITY modes, and the wizard does a good job of explaining both. When done, ZoneAlarm indicated its status in its system tray icon and a main console that also offered Tools and other features.

But that's just the first step with ZoneAlarm. For a while, its security pop-ups will appear frequently, including the first time you run your programs and when your antivirus and other software updaters try to access the Internet. You can click "Allow" or "Deny," as required, and check a box to have ZoneAlarm remember your choice. After a while, the pop-ups appear less frequently, but don't get lazy and reflexively click "Allow" each time! ZoneAlarm Free Firewall is effective and easy to use.

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Publisher's Description

ZoneAlarm Free Firewall blocks viruses that antivirus alone misses, stops hackers attempting to break into your computer, and unlike the default Windows firewall, provides outbound firewall protection to stop spyware from phoning home and botnets from taking over your PC. ZoneAlarm Free Firewall is easy for anyone to use. It operates automatically, due to its powerful DefenseNet cloud service, so users are not interrupted with unnecessary alerts.

Solid reviews and proven reputation.
Works quietly on the background.
No nagging ads.
Very simple GUI.
It's almost a "plug and play" app.
Works well on Windows 8.1 and no compatibilty issues with Windows Defender.

Can block local network requests, even on a home network, and won't say it did. This means you may suddenly lose the ability to print and not know why. This is a serious trap that may frustrate MANY users.

Summary

Support or replies to this issue have been non-existent. Do you expect support for a free version? Perhaps not but if it blocks normal activity without warning they had better know. This is simply unacceptable.

Great features
Few popup notifications
Blocks most intrustions
Trusted by many
It's been around a long time...

Cons

Internet browsing speed reduction (Very noticeable)

Summary

After using PC Tools for years, I switched to Comodo's free firewall, and used it for years. I never had any issues with Comodo, and it worked great. Unfortunately, when I upgraded to Win 7, the program would not install correctly and you would wind up in a restart loop which I couldn't fix despite trying many recommended solutions. So it was time to give Zone Alarm another try, as I hadn't in many years.

Zone alarm was easy to install, has a built in list of programs that are generally safe to use (Such as web browsers), so you will receive few popup notifications. Most of the time you don't even know it's down there monitoring, and it seems to be pretty effective. However, I noticed one huge drawback..

After installing (and uninstalling, reinstalling, etc) I noticed a huge performance hit in my internet browsing speed. I was constantly in my task manager trying to see what was going on. The performance hit was not only on my Internet, but with my computer as well. Music would start lagging/skipping, and opening a few tabs in Chrome, for example, would cause an immense amount of memory to be used. The mouse cursor would be sluggish... Through trial and error, I realized it was indeed Zone Alarm.. which is a shame. I would have used it if not for this.

Despite it being a pretty good firewall, especially for the price ($0), I had to uninstall it for good and try another free one. I'm currently exploring PrivateFirewall, which I also downloaded here. So far so good. It's nice to be able to browse with some speed again.

Perhaps this wouldn't be an issue on a brand new computer, though I have a quad core processor with 4GB ram. I don't have any memory/speed issues unless Zonealarm is installed...

Don't even download that it's like pain in ass you can't uninstall it you can't delete it I have tried it just don't waste your time avast or avira or avg are all batter than this chit I told you I have it on my computer and I can't remove it I can't delete it and I tried many uninstallers but it seem like it I stuck with this chit

Criminal behavior - fraudulent. PSYCHOPATHIC BUSINESS MODEL TRIES TO FORCE YOU TO BUY UPGRADE AFTER INSTALLING FREE PRODUCT. THIS MAY BE A NEW "IDEA." BET THEY GET BUSTED FOR IT!

Summary

Dark side element counts on having you install a deep program (roots into the pre-boot pre-windows) of a free product so that you have "bought into" the program (worried you can't / don't want to have to uninstall it. Not to mention 200MB VC++ library download that it installed from MS) Now they simply try and make you pay for a different "product." Psychopathic!
GO TO HELL.

Being retired and low income, free Zone Alarm has made it possible for us to keep our computer safe from malicious malware. We are very happy to have had the pleasure of using this product over the years. The software has always run without any problems, and the updates just keep on coming, as needed. With Zone Alarm, we've been able to keep up with the deep-pockets "big-boys". This company is offering a civic service for people who otherwise would have been plagued with Windows incoming malware, which would clog down their machines.

Cons

Hijacking malware in order to install ZA. One is presented with toolbars, search engine, and a pletora of offers that must be declined. It is necessary to click on the "custom" button to have control as to what gets installed into your machine.

Summary

The ZA installation program makes me very happy to being able to use Linux 95% of the time, and avoid such harrassment. It gives us a bad taste to have to deal with such things and Windows. I can only give ZA 3 stars because of the installer program and the malware that comes with it. If ZA would be on the up-and-up like years past, ZA would have gotten 5 stars for the firewall application. That installer has got to go!

It makes one cringe, having to deal with that kind of undesirable being foistered on us, in order to use such a fine firewall/antivirus checker

I haven't had any problems with latest ZA either. Installation went without forcing to install toolbar etc. Just unchecked them before installing. Takes up only 30MB RAM in my machine. Easy to use. No boot delays for me.

Cons

Haven't found anything special to mention.

Summary

Great product. My long time favourite, online armor is my second option. ZA doesn't install anything extra if you don't want it to do that. You can easily skip them. Using ZA with AVG antivirus free 2014 and no problems at all.

Appears to still work. Although it was stuck on install at 55% for 7 minutes.. nearly gave up on it.

Cons

Installs Search Protect despite my clicking to bypass. Thanks for the MALWARE that you are supposed to help protect against ZoneLabs!!! ***??
The downloader is the size Zonealarm to be... Now its a 44GB d/l.

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